A New Era For Arcades? CyGamZ Writes a Chapter In Video Game History

by Louis Bedigian
Arcades are dead, but there's a new public gaming arena hoping to resurrect some of their magic: CyGamZ. Located at the Showcase Cinema in Ann Arbor, MI (just minutes away from where GameZone is published), CyGamZ caters to the industry's changes while meeting the needs of the next-gen gamer. You won't see arcade cabinets or old pinball machines, but you will find the latest in game and video display technology. They offer Xbox 360 and 42-inch plasmas for individual play...

...and a massive 100-inch projection screen for face-to-face multiplayer.

CyGamZ opened in early December with "Midway Day," an event centered on the third-party developer. Midway brought along an actress who came dressed as Kitana (of Mortal Kombat fame) and showcased the latest trailers for Stranglehold and Unreal Tournament on multiple displays, including the giant movie theater screens.

One of CyGamZ's biggest draws is its ability to house massive tournaments. Clans can gather for hours of heated multiplayer action. Each tourney is hosted and facilitated by this new-age arcade, which offers dozens of high-end Alienware machines Ð all linked and connected online via four dedicated T-1 lines for the best gaming experience possible.

How It Works

Players start by creating an account at the front desk. The account will be used to track your playtime, which can be saved and used later if you do not wish to use it all in one sitting.

PC Games

Astropop Deluxe
Battlefield 2142
Battlefield 2
Battlefield 2: Special Forces
Bejeweled Deluxe
Bejewled Deluxe 2
Big Money Deluxe
Bookworm Deluxe
Call of Duty 2
Chuzzel Deluxe
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike: Source
Day of Defeat
Day of Defeat: Source
Dynomite Deluxe
Feeding Frenzy 2 Deluxe
Half-Life
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
HALO
HAMMER HEADS Deluxe
HEAVY WEAPON Deluxe
IGGLE POP Deluxe
INSANIQUARIUM
Need for Speed: Carbon
PIZZA FRENZY Deluxe
Psychonauts
Rag Doll Kung Fu
ROCKET MANIA Deluxe
Sims 2
SPACE EMPIRES 4 Deluxe
SPACE EMPIRES 5
TALISMANIA Deluxe
Team Fortress Classic
The Lord Of The Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth II
TYPER SHARK Deluxe
XPAND RALLY
ZUMA Deluxe



You'll want to take this chair home.

Console Games

Call of Duty 3 (360)
Gears of War (360)
Madden 07 (360)
NBA Live 07 (360)
Need for Speed Carbon (360)
Rainbow Six: Las Vegas (360)
Splinter Cell Double Agent (360)
Halo 2 (Xbox)
BLACK (PS2)
NBA Live 07 (PS2)
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 (PS2)


Once an account is created, players can enter the PC arena, log into their account, and click on a game link to start playing immediately. To play a console game, simply tell a CyGamZ attendant which game you wish to play. If E- or T-rated, you can play it on a plasma in one of the exterior gaming hubs, or project it on the main (100-inch) screen for colossal thrills unlike any you could have in your home. Adults can request M-rated games and play them in a private gaming pod (a sectioned off area for older gamers). Most of the PC games are playable online, and those with an Xbox Live account at home can play online with Xbox 360. CyGamZ does not yet offer Xbox Live to those without their own account, but they hope to very soon. Rates are, on a per-day basis: $7.00 (first hour) $6.00 (each additional hour) Five for $25 special (purchase blocks of 5 hours for $25 ($5.00 per hour)

The ad announcing CyGamZ's first tournament(s). More to come this winter.

Plasma Joy

The PC benefits are obvious, but those who have a 360 might not realize the benefits of playing a console game outside the home. Unless you have a large 1080 plasma screen, chances are you don't know the breathtaking joy of high-def gaming. Three words: Gears of War. This game looks great on any screen, yes. But sit down in front of one of CyGamZ's 42-inch plasmas and you'll be blown away. The wide screen envelops the player, pulling you closer to the game. Textures are more noticeable, and hype words like "high resolution" start to make more sense. Picture quality isn't the only improvement. CyGamZ has every 360 linked for the best LAN (local) gameplay around. Just think of what this means for Halo 3 and the Halo RTS...

Party Time

Are you a business professional looking to entertain your clients? Wanna have the best birthday ever? Maybe you're just a guy who'd like to take his friends somewhere cool and unique?

CyGamZ is equipped with two party rooms fit for nearly any occasion. The business decor is universal: comfortable enough for the gamer in jeans, professional enough for the gamer in a $2,000 suit.



All photos by Louis Bedigian